Broadway just got a whole lot more interactive! Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor are taking center stage (literally) in a brand-new production of Romeo + Juliet, and they’re discovering that performing for a crowd is way more than just remembering lines—it’s about surviving the peanut gallery!
The dynamic duo swung by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday (because where else do you go to spill tea about Shakespeare?) to dish on their Broadway debuts. And boy, did they have some wild stories about their fans, who seem to think they’re auditioning for the roles of Juliet’s BFF or Romeo’s life coach. The show is at the Circle in the Square Theatre, where the audience is so close, you could practically ask them to pass the salt during the sword fights. This whole “in-the-round” setup means you’re surrounded on all sides, like a gladiator in a really fancy poetic battle arena.
Rachel, ever the professional, explained, “You can see everyone. And by ‘see,’ I mean you can literally hear everything they’re thinking. It’s like Shakespeare meets psychic hotline, but with more tights and less Miss Cleo.” She continued, “We’re only a few previews in, and already we’ve got audience members responding like they’re at a sporting event. And honestly? I kinda love it.”
She shared one particular gem: “I say this really dramatic line, ‘Was ever book containing such vital matter so fairly bound?’ You know, classic Shakespeare. And out of nowhere, someone in the front row just goes, ‘No.’ Like, they just flat-out disagreed. I was like, ‘Excuse me, sir, this isn’t a choose-your-own-adventure novel!’ But honestly? It was awesome.”
Kit jumped in, probably laughing so hard he could barely breathe. “I had the exact same thing happen! I’m in the middle of this huge fight scene, right? It’s intense, it’s dramatic, I’m out of breath, Romeo’s life is falling apart, and then from the crowd I hear, ‘Romeo, walk away.’ Like, she’s trying to save me from making bad life choices. I was half expecting her to start a ‘Romeo, noooo!’ chant.”
Honestly, the audience might as well be cast members at this point. But hey, who wouldn’t want to be part of the drama when you’re practically close enough to smell Romeo’s cologne? And if that wasn’t enough to make you want to snag a ticket, they’ve just announced that a limited number of floor seats are available for every show. That’s right, if you’ve ever wanted to be so close to the action that you can practically hand Romeo a tissue for his tears, now’s your chance.
Romeo + Juliet runs until February 16, 2025, so get your tickets before they’re snatched up by people who want to live their best life shouting advice to Shakespearean characters. Just remember, if you don’t like what happens, this isn’t an interactive Netflix show.